Missions (XCOM2)

One of the big differences between XCOM and XCOM 2 are mission types. Instead of Abductions you have Guerrilla Ops, and instead of Terror Missions you have ADVENT Retaliations (losing an ADVENT Retaliation mission wont make you lose that territory, but it will decrease the supplies income).

Mission

Timer

Start Concealed

Objectives

Reward

Observations

Guerrilla ops

You can only choose one at a time. Hidden Dark Events can be revealed with Intel, either on the first popup, or by clicking the tag under the Avatar Progress counter. Choose based on what is a greater threat to you (usually the 'free +1/+2 Avatar Progress' events unless there's an easily accessible facility on the geoscape) or go by reward, or whatever mission contains a hack (only mission-critical hacks can yield the elusive "Enemy protocol" reward).

Protect Device

-

yes

Protect the device and kill all targets

Varied + Countering a Dark Event

Late game this mission might get hard due to powerful enemies attacks

Destroy Device

8

yes

Destroy the device and kill all targets

Varied + Countering a Dark Event

The ability to MC or hack control of an enemy unit makes this easier

Hack/Recover Workstation/Item

8

yes

Hack/Recover and kill all targets

Varied + Countering a Dark Event

Bring a Specialist: their ranged hack makes this significantly easier: LoS is range. Unlocking the chest/station will also give an additional bonus, like reduced scanning times, facility leads or even a permanent increase on the soldier's hacking skill.

Council missions

Secure VIP

12

no

Extract VIP and all soldiers

VIP + resources

VIP starts with you. Extraction zone is fixed and remote.

Rescue VIP

12

yes

Extract VIP and all soldiers

VIP + resources

VIP doesn´t start with your soldiers: may appear locked in a cell or an ADVENT van: bring a Specialist. Extraction zone is fixed and remote. Unlocking the door where the VIP is captive will also give an additional bonus, like reduced scanning times, facility leads or even a permanent increase on the soldier's hacking skill.

Neutralize Dark VIP

12

yes

Capture or kill Dark VIP + extract all soldiers

Supplies + Intel

If you kill the Dark VIP you don't get the Intel. On proximity, you get the 'Knockout' command, then Carry option: soldier carry rules are in effect. Extraction zone is fixed and remote.

Loot missions

Supply Raid

-

yes

Neutralize all enemies

Alloys + Elerium + Supplies

Beware of AoE attacks, don't destroy the resources: they are the glowing boxes. Keep in mind that vehicle and other object explosions have some range.

UFO Recovery

6

yes

kill all targets

Alloys + Elerium

After you break concealment a beacon will activate, you have 6 turns do deactivate it or reinforcements will be deployed.

Other

ADVENT Retaliation

-

no

save at least six civilians and kill all targets

Supplies income increased

Like in Enemy Unknown/Within; living civvies still on the map are auto-rescued once all enemies are dead. Failing to rescue 6 civilians reduces supply income. Failing to secure the area loses the territory entirely.

ADVENT Facility

-

yes

Plant the X4 and evacuate

AVATAR progress decreased by point amount displayed under facility on map

Expect drops either once enemies are dead, when the charges are set, or on your way to extraction.

Avenger Defense

-

yes

Destroy the Disruptor, don't let enemies inside the ramp

Not losing the game

Defense Matrix helps a lot to camp the ramp, upgrade if you can. MCing and/or Hacking is VERY useful: have the controlled enemy unit take out the Disruptor, while your soldiers retreat, as ADVENT will be airdropping new enemies first every other turn, then eventually every turn.